US7084587B2 - Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7084587B2
US7084587B2 US11/213,389 US21338905A US7084587B2 US 7084587 B2 US7084587 B2 US 7084587B2 US 21338905 A US21338905 A US 21338905A US 7084587 B2 US7084587 B2 US 7084587B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
voltage
hid
switch
primary winding
load device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US11/213,389
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20060055248A1 (en
Inventor
James M. Archdekin
Robin Charles Benas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PREMIER HOLDING CORP
Original Assignee
ARGES TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ARGES TECHNOLOGIES Inc filed Critical ARGES TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Priority to US11/213,389 priority Critical patent/US7084587B2/en
Assigned to ARGES TECHNOLOGIES, INC. reassignment ARGES TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BENAS, ROBIN CHARLES, ARCHDEKIN, JAMES M.
Publication of US20060055248A1 publication Critical patent/US20060055248A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7084587B2 publication Critical patent/US7084587B2/en
Assigned to ACTIVE ES LIGHTING CONTROLS reassignment ACTIVE ES LIGHTING CONTROLS CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ARGES TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Assigned to PREMIER HOLDING CORP. reassignment PREMIER HOLDING CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ACTIVE ES LIGHTING CONTROLS, INC.
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36Controlling
    • H05B41/38Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/382Controlling the intensity of light during the transitional start-up phase
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36Controlling
    • H05B41/38Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/40Controlling the intensity of light discontinuously
    • H05B41/42Controlling the intensity of light discontinuously in two steps only
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01FMAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F29/00Variable transformers or inductances not covered by group H01F21/00
    • H01F29/02Variable transformers or inductances not covered by group H01F21/00 with tappings on coil or winding; with provision for rearrangement or interconnection of windings
    • H01F29/04Variable transformers or inductances not covered by group H01F21/00 with tappings on coil or winding; with provision for rearrangement or interconnection of windings having provision for tap-changing without interrupting the load current
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01FMAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F30/00Fixed transformers not covered by group H01F19/00
    • H01F30/02Auto-transformers
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B20/00Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Definitions

  • the present invention is in the field of lighting control. More particularly, the present invention pertains to apparatus and methods for controlling the voltage applied to a lighting unit, such as a HID (high intensity discharge) lamp.
  • a lighting unit such as a HID (high intensity discharge) lamp.
  • HID lighting advantageously provides a high light output per watt of energy consumed. Further, once started at full voltage, such HID lighting may sustain operation at a substantially reduced voltage with little or no reduction of light output, but with a substantially reduced energy consumption.
  • the present invention constitutes an improvement over prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,431,948, issued Feb. 14, 1984, and also over U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,528,110; 5,508,589; and 5,623,186, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent necessary for a full disclosure and understanding of the present invention.
  • the '948 patent discloses a controller for HID lighting effecting a selective reduction of applied voltage by use of an autotransformer connected in series with a switch.
  • a first portion of the autotransformer winding is interposed between the input and the output, and an additional winding portion is interposed between the output and the common or neutral terminal of an alternating current power source.
  • the first portion of winding is referred to the series winding of the autotransformer, and the second portion of the winding is referred to as the common winding of the autotransformer.
  • the switch (which may be implemented as a relay, for example), is connected in series with the common winding so that when the relay is in its open condition, no current flows in the common winding, and the output voltage is substantially equivalent to the input voltage.
  • an inventive autotransformer is provided with a bucking coil in order to cancel the creation of harmonics and inadvertent heating affects in the autotransformer.
  • This inventive autotransformer avoids the deficiencies of the '948 patent.
  • further improvements to the technology for controlling HID lighting are possible. There is, therefore, a need to provide an improved apparatus and method for control of HID lighting in order to achieve lowered power consumption.
  • an object of this invention to provide an HID lighting controller with an improved autotransformer circuit which allows for starting the light unit at full voltage, and for reduction of the applied voltage during sustained operation of the light unit, using only a single SPDT switch, and with no interruption of current flow to the light unit during the change from full to reduced voltage.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide an HID lighting controller which utilizes a thermal inertia analog of the HID light in order to determine an adequate starting and warm up time interval for the HID light unit, which time interval will vary dependent upon ambient conditions.
  • the warm up time interval for the HID light unit may vary dependent upon ambient temperature; and to a lesser extent, dependent upon wind speed.
  • this invention provide a HID lighting controller which reduces the operating voltage to a HID light unit only after the HID light unit has achieved a sufficient operating temperature to sustain operation at the reduced voltage level.
  • FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment of an improved lighting controller apparatus for HID lighting
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are partially cross sectional plan and elevation views of the lighting controller apparatus seen in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 provides a simplified partial circuit schematic of the lighting controller apparatus seen in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a thermal inertia analog of an HID light seen in FIG. 1 , and which is included in the controller of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a complete circuit schematic for the lighting controller seen in FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 3 ;
  • FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of HID lighting, and of another alternative embodiment of a controller for such lighting;
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 provide respective circuit schematics for the alternative embodiment of HID lighting controller seen in FIG. 7 , which respectively provide a first level of reduced voltage for sustained operation of the HID lighting, or twice this first level of voltage reduction.
  • FIG. 10 is a complete circuit schematic for a lighting controller similar to that seen in FIG. 6 , but including a count-down timer for effecting a change from start-up voltage to operating voltage for a pair of controlled discharge lighting units.
  • FIG. 11 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of a lighting controller for a street lamp and of an ambient light sensor for that street lamp which plugs into the lighting controller;
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 are a plan view and an elevation view (partially in cross section) of a street lamp lighting controller as is seen in FIGS. 7 , 8 , 9 , and 11 .
  • a lighting controller 10 receives line power via electrical wires 12 , and controls a pair of HID lights 14 , by means of interconnecting wiring generally indicated with the arrowed numeral 16 .
  • the lighting controller 10 includes a generally rectangular box or case, 18 defining an interior cavity 20 .
  • a printed circuit board 22 Disposed within the cavity 20 is a printed circuit board 22 , which is supported by means of standoffs 24 .
  • a connector strip 26 is carried adjacent to one edge of the printed circuit board 22 in order to facilitate connection of electrical wiring to the apparatus 10 .
  • This connector strip 26 also provides for connection of the circuitry (to be further explained below) which is disposed on the printed circuit board 22 .
  • the printed circuit board 22 carries a spaced apart pair of transformers 28 and 30 .
  • the dual transformers 28 and 30 allow the lighting control unit 10 to control a pair of HID light units (or two banks of such light units).
  • the printed circuit board 22 carries a spaced apart pair of SPDT (single pole, double throw) relays 32 and 34 .
  • the printed circuit board 22 carries a thermal analog device, generally indicated with the arrowed numeral 36 . It will be appreciated that the device 36 is located in a sheltered “pocket” or recess 36 ′ formed next to the printed circuit board 22 , and among the surrounding transformers and relays.
  • thermal insulation surrounding the thermal analog device 36 in recess 36 ′ is a quantity of thermal insulation surrounding the thermal analog device 36 in recess 36 ′; and an environmental cover which spans the space between the pair of transformers 28 , 30 , and over the pair of relays 32 , 34 . That is, the environmental cover (indicated in FIG. 3 by the dashed line 36 ′′) spans across recess 36 ′ just above the device 36 , and forms an upper boundary wall above the device 36 ′ in the same way the printed circuit board 22 forms a lower wall to the recess 36 ′.
  • the space around the thermal analog device 36 , and between the PC board 22 and environmental cover 36 ′′ is filled with a selected amount of thermal insulation, such as with fiberglass insulation.
  • the thermal insulation and environmental cover about device 36 are further depicted and described below, but it is sufficient for now to understand that their purpose is to provide a protected and thermally controlled environment about the thermal analog device 36 .
  • FIG. 4 provides a simplified schematic of a portion of the controller 10 .
  • AC line power is received via wires 38 , 40 ; and wire 38 is connected to one side of the primary winding 42 of a transformer 44 (representative of either transformer 28 or 30 ).
  • the other side of this transformer winding 42 is connected to an HID lighting unit 14 , and the other connection of the HID lighting unit 14 is connected to the other wire 40 .
  • the HID lighting unit 14 will receive voltage.
  • the voltage level received by the HID lighting unit 14 is controlled by the operation of the lighting control unit 10 , and particularly is controlled by the operation of transformer 28 or 30 (represented by schematic transformer 44 in FIG. 4 ).
  • the circuit illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a SPDT switch (representative of relays 32 , or 34 , and so indicated on FIG. 4 as “ 32 / 34 ”) having a common contact connecting to the other side of the winding 44 , and to the lighting unit 14 .
  • This relay 32 or 34 includes a normally open (NO) contact which is connected to the wire 38 and the first end of primary winding 42 .
  • the relay 32 or 34 includes a normally closed (NC) contact which is connected to one end of a secondary winding 46 of the transformer 44 .
  • this secondary winding 46 is connected to the wire 40 .
  • the transformer 44 functions as a conventional autotransformer, and delivers a reduced voltage to the lighting unit 14 .
  • the relay 28 or 30 provides power from wire 38 to the first end of winding 46 .
  • the relay shorts the primary winding 42 , but delivers full voltage from wire 38 to the lighting unit 14 .
  • a thermal analog device 36 is provided. Viewing diagrammatic FIG. 5 , it is seen that this thermal analog device 36 includes a controlled heat source, indicated with the arrowed numeral 48 .
  • This heat controlled heat source is preferably implemented by use of a resistor connected to line voltage and to common (i.e., across wires 38 and 40 ) so that when voltage is first applied to these wires to start the HID lighting unit 14 , the resistor 48 starts to produce heat.
  • the device 36 further includes a thermal mass, indicated by the arrow 50 (providing a warm up time constant), and a temperature responsive switch, indicated with the numeral 52 . While it will be noted in the presently preferred embodiment that the temperature responsive switch 52 is normally closed, the invention is not so limited. That is, the device 36 could employ a normally open temperature responsive switch, and then would reverse the connection of the NO and NC contacts of the relays 28 and 30 .
  • thermal analog device 36 includes a thermal insulation barrier 54 (indicated by dashed lines and hash marks on FIG. 5 ).
  • This insulation barrier 54 is provided by the thermal insulation and environmental cover mentioned above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • this thermal insulation barrier is selected to provide a desired and sufficient degree of thermal insulation between the combination of heater 48 , mass 50 , and switch 52 , and ambient; so that the device 36 will warm from ambient to and sufficiently above the activation temperature of switch 52 with a time constant that is an analog of, but is preferably somewhat slower than, the warm up time constant or characteristic of the HID lighting unit 14 .
  • the desired and intentional slowness of the time constant for warming up of the thermal analog device 36 can be employed, for example, to insure that the HID light unit reaches its operating temperature despite windy conditions (which carry heat away from the HID light unit) before voltage is reduced by the controller 10 . Thus, continued operation of the HID light unit once operating voltage is reduced by the controller 10 is assured.
  • the thermal analog device 36 will likewise warm up from ambient temperature.
  • the thermal analog device is used to determine when the lighting unit 14 is sufficiently hot to sustain operation at reduced voltage.
  • the switch 52 of the thermal device 36 is closed, and provides power to the coil of the relay 28 or 30 . So, the NC contact of this relay 28 or 30 is opened, and the NO contact is closed. As a result, the coil 42 is shorted, and the HID lighting unit 14 immediately receives full line voltage (from wire 38 , viewing FIG. 4 ), which is sufficient to start the HID lighting unit 14 even in cold ambient conditions.
  • the lighting unit 14 starts and warms up, and so does the thermal analog device 36 warm up.
  • the thermal analog device 36 achieves a temperature at which the temperature responsive switch 52 opens, the lighting unit 14 will have achieved a sufficient temperature to sustain operation at a reduced voltage level.
  • this switch 52 is connected to the coil of relay 28 or 30 , and when opened inactivates this relay in order to effect the desired voltage reduction for sustained operation of the HID lighting units 14 .
  • the lighting control unit 10 actually contains a pair of transformers 28 and 30 , and a pair of relays 32 and 34 , all controlled by a pair of thermal analog devices (each indicated with the arrowed numeral 36 ), which are implemented using a single resistor as a heater for both thermal analog devices. That is, a single resistor 48 serves to provide heat to a pair of temperature responsive switches 52 a and 52 b . Further, the combined mass of the resistor 48 and switches 52 a and 52 b provides the desired thermal mass 50 . As was pointed out above by reference to FIGS.
  • the insulation (or isolation) 54 of thermal analog device 36 from ambient is by no means complete, but is merely of a sufficient and desired level. That is, if the HID lamp units 14 are turned off after a period of operation, then the thermal analog device 36 will cool, as will the HID lighting units.
  • the device 36 will re-close the contacts of switch 52 after only a few minutes of non-operation of the lamps 14 .
  • the lamps may be restarted at full voltage by once again applying power to the lines 12 (i.e., to wires 38 and 40 ).
  • the modular voltage reduction apparatus 58 of the present invention is configured to be interposed between the ambient light sensor 60 and the receptacle 62 of the lamp structure 56 . More specifically, as seen in FIG. 8 , the voltage reduction apparatus 58 provides a receptacle 64 , which is a duplicate of the receptacle 62 of the lamp structure 56 . In addition, the voltage reduction apparatus 58 provides a three pin plug 66 which provides the same pin arrangement as the ambient light sensor 60 so that it is compatible with the receptacle 62 of the lamp structure 56 .
  • installation of the embodiment of the present invention as seen in FIG. 7 is accomplished simply by way of temporarily removing the ambient light sensor 60 from the receptacle 62 , installing the voltage reduction apparatus 58 into the receptacle 62 , and then the ambient light sensor 60 is placed into the receptacle 64 of the voltage reduction apparatus 58 .
  • the ambient light sensor continues to carry out its function in an identical manner. However, the voltage applied to the high intensity discharge (HID) light unit of the street light 56 , will be automatically reduced after initial discharge activation at full voltage.
  • HID high intensity discharge
  • FIGS. 7 , 8 , and 9 are the same as, or are analogous to, those depicted and described above, features of FIGS. 7–9 which by now will be familiar to the reader are indicated with the same numeral used above and increased by one-hundred (100).
  • the apparatus 58 includes a transformer, indicated with the arrowed numeral 128 .
  • the primary winding 142 of this transformer 128 includes a tap 142 a , the use of which will be explained below with reference to FIG. 9 .
  • the transformer 128 also includes a secondary winding 146 , and is associated with the power supply lines and with the load (i.e., street light 56 ) as the first embodiment explained above.
  • the embodiment of FIGS. 7–9 includes a SPDT relay 132 , and a thermal analog device 136 as was explained above. Accordingly, the operation of the light control apparatus of FIGS. 7–9 is that same as that discussed above, and the street light 56 is started and warmed up at full voltage, after which the operating voltage to the HID light unit is reduced when the thermal analog device 136 indicates a sufficiently high temperature has been achieved to sustain operation of the street light at reduced voltage.
  • the circuit of FIG. 9 is essentially the same as that indicated on FIG. 8 , with the exception that the connection from plug 66 to the primary winding 142 is made at the tap 142 a , rather than at the end of this primary winding 142 .
  • the result is that when the operating voltage to the controlled street light is reduced from full voltage to some lower selected operating voltage, the voltage reduction effected by the embodiment of FIG. 9 is twice that effected by the embodiment of FIG. 8 .
  • the apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9 are the same with the exception of the connection between transformer 142 and the plug 66 . Accordingly, it is apparent that a user of the apparatus 58 of FIGS. 8 and 9 may select the voltage reduction desired for sustained operation of the street light 56 .
  • the embodiment of FIG. 8 With the voltage reduction effected by the embodiment of FIG. 8 , there may be no noticeable reduction of street illumination. On the other hand, if a small but noticeable reduction in street illumination is tolerable, then the embodiment of FIG. 9 may be utilized, in order to realize a reduction of about 36% or more in the cost of operating the street light 56 .
  • FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar in many respects to that of FIG. 6 , but including a countdown timer for effecting a switch in the operating voltage of controlled discharge lighting from a start-up voltage to a lower operating voltage. Accordingly, because the embodiment of FIG. 10 has many features in common with FIG. 6 , features of FIG. 10 with are the same as or analogous to those depicted and described above with reference to FIG. 6 are indicated on FIG. 10 with that same numeral used above but having a prime (′) added thereto.
  • the lighting control unit 10 ′ contains a pair of transformers 28 ′ and 30 ′ (the transformer secondary windings being indicated as T 1 and T 2 ), and a single double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) relay 32 ′ which performs the function of the pair of relays 32 , 34 seen in FIG. 6 .
  • the relay 32 ′ is controlled by a single countdown timer 36 ′, which has a pre-selected count-down interval, and upon activation begins counting down this interval toward zero (0). That is, the timer 36 ′ starts its countdown when the controller 10 ′ is energized so that full line voltage is applied to the lighting units connected to the “load” connections of the controller 10 ′.
  • HID lamps connected to the “load” terminals of the controller 10 ′ will start reliably at full line voltage, and then will be switched to the lower desired operating voltage (i.e., by application of the inventive autotransformer circuit diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4 ) which is implemented by the circuitry of controller 10 ′.
  • An advantage of the control circuit 10 ′ particularly realized in locations experiencing extremely cold winter temperatures is that a thermal analog (i.e., as employed in the controller 10 of FIG. 6 ) is not a perfect analog of the HID lamps connected to the controller.
  • FIG. 10 avoids this difficulty by allowing a certain time interval to be selected which will insure that the HID lamps reach a sustaining temperature before the operating voltage is reduced, even after a prolonged cold soak in exceedingly low temperatures.
  • a combination of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 10 can be utilized and can be effected by the simple expedient of using a temperature responsive switch to select between a thermal analog start-up timer, or a count-down start-up timer. So, if this expedient is implemented, the HID lamps would start up in moderate conditions using a thermal analog, and energy would be saved by allowing the lamps to switch to a lower sustaining voltage as soon as is practicable.
  • the HID lamps would start up using a count-down timer, and sustaining operation of the lamps when the voltage is reduced is assured, because the time interval is chosen such as to insure adequate lamp warm up and continued illumination of the lamps upon operating voltage reduction no matter how cold ambient temperatures may be.
  • the modular voltage reduction apparatus 58 of the present invention is configured to be interposed between the ambient light sensor 60 and the receptacle 62 of the lamp structure 56 (recalling FIG. 7 ). More specifically, as seen in FIG. 11 , the modular voltage controller or reduction apparatus 58 includes a housing 58 ′ which provides an upwardly disposed receptacle 64 (which is a functional duplicate of the receptacle 62 of the street lamp structure 56 ). In addition, the voltage reduction apparatus 58 provides a three pin plug 66 (which provides the same pin arrangement as the ambient light sensor 60 ).
  • the modular voltage reduction apparatus 58 is compatible with the receptacle 62 of the lamp structure 56 and with the ambient light sensor 60 .
  • the controller 58 is plugged into the receptacle 62 of the street lamp 56 , and the ambient light sensor is plugged into the controller 58 , as is indicated by the arrow on FIG. 11 .
  • the housing 58 ′ in order for the housing 58 ′ to provide adequate weather protection in the harsh environment encountered atop of a street lamp, the housing 58 ′ includes a cup-shaped (i.e., an inverted cup-shaped) housing portion 68 defining an end wall 68 a defining a central opening 68 b through which the receptacle 64 is accessed.
  • An annular recess 68 ′ circumscribes the upper end of the housing portion 68 , and provides for a weather skirt portion 60 ′ (arrowed on FIG. 11 ) of the ambient light sensor 60 to pass partially downwardly a selected distance over the housing 58 ′.
  • this housing portion 68 defines a downwardly disposed opening 72 , and receives a plate-like closure member 74 into the opening 72 , which closure member is recessed upwardly a determined distance into the opening 72 to providing a depending skirt portion 76 .
  • the skirt 76 replicates skirt 60 ′ and provides a similar weather protection when the controller 58 is plugged into the receptacle 62 of a street lamp, recalling FIG. 7 .
  • a torroidal transformer 78 is received within the housing 68 .
  • This torroidal transformer serves the function of the transformer 128 schematically illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 .
  • a passage 78 ′ is defied centrally of this transformer 78 .
  • a printed circuit board 80 rests upon a resilient spacer and insulator 82 , and carries circuit elements 84 .
  • Another resilient insulator 82 is also disposed below the transformer 78 so that the pair of resilient insulators 82 sandwich the transformer 78 .
  • the circuit elements 84 can include such elements as the thermal analog device 136 , and the relay 132 .
  • a countdown timer may be included in the circuit elements 84 .
  • This tie rod 86 is secured by a pair of screws 88 , 90 , which each threadably engage into respective axially extending holes defined by the rod 86 , so that the closure member, as well as the circuit element contents of the controller 58 , are retained in the housing 58 ′ including cup-shaped housing portion 68 .
  • the tie rod 86 and screws 88 maintain the stack of components described immediately above in compression, while the pair of resilient insulators 82 provide for manufacturing variations in the axial dimension of the transformer 78 such that the distance between the closure member 74 and the upper face of receptacle 64 is fixed.
  • the housing portion 68 and closure member 74 be formed, possibly by molding, each in one integral piece of polymer material.
  • the polymer material to be used for the housing portions 68 and 74 is well within the art of those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts to select, but it is to be both weather resistant and resistant to deterioration by ultraviolet light (i.e., by sunlight) in the harsh environment encountered atop of a street lamp.
  • the axial dimension of the contents of the housing 68 is fixed (i.e., by tie rod 86 ), and the closure member 74 is arranged for a snap fit with the cup-shaped member 68 such that the controller 58 is simply snapped together within housing portion 68 , yet excellent weather protection is provided to the circuitry within the controller 58 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
US11/213,389 2004-09-02 2005-08-26 Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting Expired - Fee Related US7084587B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/213,389 US7084587B2 (en) 2004-09-02 2005-08-26 Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US60697204P 2004-09-02 2004-09-02
US11/213,389 US7084587B2 (en) 2004-09-02 2005-08-26 Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060055248A1 US20060055248A1 (en) 2006-03-16
US7084587B2 true US7084587B2 (en) 2006-08-01

Family

ID=36036679

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/213,389 Expired - Fee Related US7084587B2 (en) 2004-09-02 2005-08-26 Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US7084587B2 (ja)
EP (1) EP1784700A4 (ja)
JP (1) JP2008511965A (ja)
KR (1) KR100876005B1 (ja)
CN (1) CN100595713C (ja)
AU (1) AU2005282832B2 (ja)
BR (1) BRPI0515620A (ja)
CA (1) CA2577416C (ja)
IL (1) IL181574A0 (ja)
MX (1) MX2007002620A (ja)
NZ (1) NZ552850A (ja)
WO (1) WO2006028781A1 (ja)
ZA (1) ZA200701542B (ja)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070224905A1 (en) * 2006-03-21 2007-09-27 Active Es Lighting Contorls, Inc. Voltage control load center, modular voltage control transformer circuit, and method of making and using
US20080297061A1 (en) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-04 Active Es Lighting Controls, Inc. HID lighting control with transient voltage sensing and lamp restarting, and method of making and using
AU2005282832B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2010-03-25 Active Es Lighting Controls, Inc. Improved apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting
US20110012539A1 (en) * 2009-07-15 2011-01-20 Gary Skwarlo Time-Delayed Power Switching Device and Methods of Use
US9713237B1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2017-07-18 Lopresti Speed Merchants Dynamically optimized ballast
US20200045794A1 (en) * 2018-05-10 2020-02-06 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Switch protection apparatus and operating method thereof
US11212887B2 (en) 2019-11-04 2021-12-28 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Light having selectively adjustable sets of solid state light sources, circuit and method of operation thereof, to provide variable output characteristics
US11234304B2 (en) 2019-05-24 2022-01-25 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Photocontroller to control operation of a luminaire having a dimming line
US11317497B2 (en) 2019-06-20 2022-04-26 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Photocontroller and/or lamp with photocontrols to control operation of lamp
US11375599B2 (en) 2017-04-03 2022-06-28 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Systems and methods for outdoor luminaire wireless control
US11653436B2 (en) 2017-04-03 2023-05-16 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Systems and methods for outdoor luminaire wireless control

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007287638A (ja) * 2006-04-18 2007-11-01 Osamu Nakamura 水銀灯の点灯時に消費される電力を削減するhid電力削減装置。
CN101457878B (zh) * 2007-12-12 2010-11-10 富士迈半导体精密工业(上海)有限公司 路灯系统
CA2780780A1 (en) * 2009-11-16 2011-05-19 300K Enterprises Pty Ltd. Contactless coupling and method for use with an electrical appliance
HUP1000054A3 (en) 2010-01-26 2012-08-28 Gradix Holdings Ltd Ac voltage converter and switching equipment
JP5033215B2 (ja) * 2010-04-19 2012-09-26 株式会社因幡電機製作所 道路灯
EP3262902B1 (en) 2015-02-26 2020-06-24 Signify Holding B.V. Driver module for powering a light source and a further module.

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4392081A (en) * 1981-07-31 1983-07-05 General Electric Company Lighting unit
US4808946A (en) * 1986-12-22 1989-02-28 Carver R W Lightweight, high power audio amplifier and power supply
US5049790A (en) * 1988-09-23 1991-09-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for operating at least one gas discharge lamp
US5065072A (en) * 1989-03-31 1991-11-12 Valeo Vision Power supply circuit for an arc lamp, in particular for a motor vehicle headlight
US5138234A (en) * 1991-05-28 1992-08-11 Motorola, Inc. Circuit for driving a gas discharge lamp load
US5309062A (en) * 1992-05-20 1994-05-03 Progressive Technology In Lighting, Inc. Three-way compact fluorescent lamp system utilizing an electronic ballast having a variable frequency oscillator
US5483127A (en) * 1994-01-19 1996-01-09 Don Widmayer & Associates, Inc. Variable arc electronic ballast with continuous cathode heating
US5508589A (en) * 1994-12-14 1996-04-16 Archdekin; James M. Power saving voltage reduction system for high intensity discharge lighting systems
US5510681A (en) * 1978-03-20 1996-04-23 Nilssen; Ole K. Operating circuit for gas discharge lamps
US5723951A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-03-03 Osram Sylvania Inc. Method of hot restarting a high intensity discharge lamp
US5804924A (en) * 1995-07-26 1998-09-08 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Discharge lamp with two voltage levels
US6400579B2 (en) * 2000-03-24 2002-06-04 Slobodan Cuk Lossless switching DC to DC converter with DC transformer
US7019468B2 (en) * 2001-12-21 2006-03-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Electronic ballast with ignition and operation control

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3531686A (en) * 1968-04-03 1970-09-29 Gen Electric Lamp ballast circuit for dual voltage supplies
GB1508779A (en) * 1975-11-26 1978-04-26 Westinghouse Brake & Signal Controlled ac power supply circuits
US4082981A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-04-04 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Energy saving device for a standard fluorescent lamp system
DE3012869A1 (de) * 1980-04-02 1981-10-08 Adolf Schuch Kg, Lichttechnische Spezialfabrik, 6520 Worms Leistungsreduzierte schaltung mit lichtstromabsenkung bei hochdruck-gasentladungslampen
FI66512C (fi) * 1982-12-27 1984-10-10 Helvar Oy Spaenningsregulator foer belysningsnaet saerskilt gatubelysningsregulator
JPH03190093A (ja) * 1989-12-20 1991-08-20 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 放電灯点灯装置
JPH07240284A (ja) * 1994-02-28 1995-09-12 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp 放電管点灯装置および照明器具
DE29508871U1 (de) * 1995-06-01 1996-10-02 Roemer Rudolf Schaltungsanordnung zum energiesparenden Betrieb von elektrischen Verbrauchern
WO1997002518A1 (fr) * 1995-06-12 1997-01-23 Nariisa Imoto Regulateur de tension electrique
JPH11307284A (ja) * 1998-04-21 1999-11-05 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 蛍光ランプ点灯装置および蛍光ランプスタータ装置
JPH11307278A (ja) * 1998-04-23 1999-11-05 Koichi Mori 水銀灯
JP2003157989A (ja) * 2001-11-26 2003-05-30 Nesutaa:Kk 放電管の点灯制御装置
KR100414547B1 (en) * 2002-12-21 2004-01-07 Changdeok E & C Co Ltd Power reducer using toroidal core
CA2577416C (en) * 2004-09-02 2010-07-20 Arges Technologies, Inc. Improved apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5510681A (en) * 1978-03-20 1996-04-23 Nilssen; Ole K. Operating circuit for gas discharge lamps
US4392081A (en) * 1981-07-31 1983-07-05 General Electric Company Lighting unit
US4808946A (en) * 1986-12-22 1989-02-28 Carver R W Lightweight, high power audio amplifier and power supply
US5049790A (en) * 1988-09-23 1991-09-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for operating at least one gas discharge lamp
US5065072A (en) * 1989-03-31 1991-11-12 Valeo Vision Power supply circuit for an arc lamp, in particular for a motor vehicle headlight
US5138234A (en) * 1991-05-28 1992-08-11 Motorola, Inc. Circuit for driving a gas discharge lamp load
US5309062A (en) * 1992-05-20 1994-05-03 Progressive Technology In Lighting, Inc. Three-way compact fluorescent lamp system utilizing an electronic ballast having a variable frequency oscillator
US5483127A (en) * 1994-01-19 1996-01-09 Don Widmayer & Associates, Inc. Variable arc electronic ballast with continuous cathode heating
US5508589A (en) * 1994-12-14 1996-04-16 Archdekin; James M. Power saving voltage reduction system for high intensity discharge lighting systems
US5804924A (en) * 1995-07-26 1998-09-08 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Discharge lamp with two voltage levels
US5723951A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-03-03 Osram Sylvania Inc. Method of hot restarting a high intensity discharge lamp
US6400579B2 (en) * 2000-03-24 2002-06-04 Slobodan Cuk Lossless switching DC to DC converter with DC transformer
US7019468B2 (en) * 2001-12-21 2006-03-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Electronic ballast with ignition and operation control

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2005282832B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2010-03-25 Active Es Lighting Controls, Inc. Improved apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting
US20070224905A1 (en) * 2006-03-21 2007-09-27 Active Es Lighting Contorls, Inc. Voltage control load center, modular voltage control transformer circuit, and method of making and using
US7825614B2 (en) * 2006-03-21 2010-11-02 Archdekin James M Voltage control load center, modular voltage control transformer circuit, and method of making and using
US20080297061A1 (en) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-04 Active Es Lighting Controls, Inc. HID lighting control with transient voltage sensing and lamp restarting, and method of making and using
WO2008150394A1 (en) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-11 Active Es Lighting Controls, Inc. Hid lighting control with transient voltage sensing and lamp restarting
US7973490B2 (en) * 2007-05-31 2011-07-05 Active Es Lighting Controls, Inc HID lighting control with transient voltage sensing and lamp restarting, and method of making and using
US20110012539A1 (en) * 2009-07-15 2011-01-20 Gary Skwarlo Time-Delayed Power Switching Device and Methods of Use
US8633661B2 (en) 2009-07-15 2014-01-21 Gary Skwarlo Time-delayed power switching device and methods of use
US9713237B1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2017-07-18 Lopresti Speed Merchants Dynamically optimized ballast
US11375599B2 (en) 2017-04-03 2022-06-28 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Systems and methods for outdoor luminaire wireless control
US11653436B2 (en) 2017-04-03 2023-05-16 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Systems and methods for outdoor luminaire wireless control
US20200045794A1 (en) * 2018-05-10 2020-02-06 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Switch protection apparatus and operating method thereof
US10932343B2 (en) * 2018-05-10 2021-02-23 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Switch protection apparatus and operating method thereof
US11234304B2 (en) 2019-05-24 2022-01-25 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Photocontroller to control operation of a luminaire having a dimming line
US11317497B2 (en) 2019-06-20 2022-04-26 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Photocontroller and/or lamp with photocontrols to control operation of lamp
US11765805B2 (en) 2019-06-20 2023-09-19 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Photocontroller and/or lamp with photocontrols to control operation of lamp
US11212887B2 (en) 2019-11-04 2021-12-28 Express Imaging Systems, Llc Light having selectively adjustable sets of solid state light sources, circuit and method of operation thereof, to provide variable output characteristics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1784700A4 (en) 2009-10-28
CA2577416C (en) 2010-07-20
CN100595713C (zh) 2010-03-24
US20060055248A1 (en) 2006-03-16
WO2006028781A1 (en) 2006-03-16
JP2008511965A (ja) 2008-04-17
MX2007002620A (es) 2007-10-02
CA2577416A1 (en) 2006-03-16
NZ552850A (en) 2009-01-31
AU2005282832A1 (en) 2006-03-16
KR100876005B1 (ko) 2008-12-26
AU2005282832B2 (en) 2010-03-25
IL181574A0 (en) 2007-07-04
EP1784700A1 (en) 2007-05-16
CN101065715A (zh) 2007-10-31
KR20070057187A (ko) 2007-06-04
BRPI0515620A (pt) 2008-07-29
ZA200701542B (en) 2009-10-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7084587B2 (en) Apparatus and method for control of high intensity discharge lighting
US4317987A (en) Remote control device for a water heater
US5729097A (en) Method and device for controlling electric discharge lamps with electronic fluorescent lamp ballasts
US4740861A (en) Thermal protection device for a dual input voltage lamp transformer/ballast apparatus
US10267537B2 (en) Dual energy electric and gas water heater with igniter shutoff circuit
CA2039499A1 (en) Device for preventing oil from dripping out of the burner nozzle of an oil-fired heating system
US7825614B2 (en) Voltage control load center, modular voltage control transformer circuit, and method of making and using
US4253311A (en) Control system for a mobile absorption refrigerating apparatus
US7973490B2 (en) HID lighting control with transient voltage sensing and lamp restarting, and method of making and using
EP0702506B1 (en) Device for the lighting and instantaneous hot-relighting of lamps, particularly of the discharge type
SU304561A1 (ru) Электрическое управляющее устройство
JP3244949B2 (ja) 立消え安全装置付きガス燃焼器具
GB2210215A (en) Off period-timer
SU1327330A1 (ru) Пускорегулирующий аппарат
KR860000179Y1 (ko) 110v/220v 겸용 밥솥의 회로
JPS6231807Y2 (ja)
KR19980029272A (ko) 예열 시스템
CA2086059A1 (en) Parallel light sensitive control system
JPS6056973B2 (ja) 燃焼制御回路
JPH01197996A (ja) 光電性のスイッチ装置と照明負荷の制御法
JPH0294295A (ja) 螢光灯輝度制御装置
JPH04138545U (ja) 点火ヒータの通電制御装置
CN105580230A (zh) 供电插口使用的电安全电路

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ARGES TECHNOLOGIES, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ARCHDEKIN, JAMES M.;BENAS, ROBIN CHARLES;REEL/FRAME:016921/0337;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050824 TO 20050825

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

SULP Surcharge for late payment
AS Assignment

Owner name: ACTIVE ES LIGHTING CONTROLS, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ARGES TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:028624/0802

Effective date: 20120724

AS Assignment

Owner name: PREMIER HOLDING CORP., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ACTIVE ES LIGHTING CONTROLS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:028800/0820

Effective date: 20120808

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.)

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20180801